Local economies
It is the right time to invest in all of our futures
As we head towards COP26 Paul O’Brien says we should not settle for anything less than a key role for councils in the delivery of the plan for net zero, or the consequences could be catastrophic.
Lagging behind the retrofit challenge
We risk deepening a divide between rich and poor and different parts of the compass unless we localise national retrofitting strategies, writes Jonathan Werran.
Devolve powers to level up
The panel brought together by the Centre for Progressive Policy think-tank agreed local government needed more powers to make the agenda a success.
Counting the benefits of good partnership
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was formally signed off this summer. It will build on South Holland DC’s own experience of partnership working, and build something even bigger, says Rob Barlow.
Wages and good and bad government
Many communities in the UK would benefit from higher wages, says Mike Emmerich, but does the Prime Minister have a strategy for delivering them?
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
The first step on a long levelling up road.
The Government cannot treat the levelling up White Paper’s publication as ‘job done’, and it will take decades to bridge our country’s geographic divides, says Andrew Carter.
A compelling national vision for local government
Becoming part of a ‘medicalised treatment-based model’ is the last thing social care needs, says Professor Donna Hall, as she puts forward the beginnings of a new vision for local government.
Film and TV sector offers opportunities for growth beyond Hertfordshire
Our Local Enterprise Partnership is proud to be leading the national debate on the future of the Hertfordshire located, globally significant, film and television sector, says Mark Bretton.
Imagining a health-led recovery
The Health Foundation says local government should be at the heart of driving forward the strategy to improve and level up health, and thereby the economy – but how can this best work in practice? Ann McGauran reports.
Return on investment – the next frontier in city climate action
More than 30 cities in six countries including Cambridge, Coventry and Dundee are using a new software platform to model different ways to meet their climate targets. Tomer Shalit explains.
St Albans festival pulls out all the stops
National Graduate Development Programme trainee Thomas Wrench says councils’ investment in activities such as the St Albans International Organ festival will be fundamental to COVID-19 recovery and uniting communities.
Johnson vows to ‘get care done’
The Prime Minister delivered a speech peppered with quips but short on announcements at the Conservative Party Conference.
Devolution is my ‘unfinished business’
Pat Ritchie is leaving her role as chief executive of Newcastle City Council after more than eight years at the helm. She talks to Heather Jameson about her legacy and what she sees as her three key achievements.
Let’s ditch ‘panel game’ funding
Cllr John Merry talks to Ann McGauran about how Key Cities are faring as they look towards recovery, and says he’s approaching the White Paper on levelling up with an ‘open-minded spirit’.
Local leadership needs a vote of confidence from the Treasury
In the run up to the Spending Review, the County Councils' Network will be continuing to highlight 'how imperative well-resourced councils are to the levelling up agenda', says Simon Edwards.
Street Hub 2.0 provides an opportunity to drive recovery
James Browne looks at how digital infrastructure can support local authorities to enhance services for local communities.
Bracknell’s naturally creative approach to bringing people back to the town centre
A gigantic partnership approach to reinvigorating Bracknell town centre linked to the borough’s tree strategy hit the mark this summer, says Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker.
Reshuffle puts Gove in the driving seat for next election
Last week’s reshuffle was, for local government, far more than a switch in the ministerial deckchairs. What started out as change in secretary of state has ended up as a wholesale shift in the emphasis of the beefed-up, rebranded department.
Commission calls for shift of focus in levelling up
The Commission into Prosperity and Community Placemaking has concluded investment should be made in local neighbourhoods rather than grand infrastructure projects.
